tuning problems

[exyearrboy]

My guitarist has a horridly built, horridly composed SG knockoff that he insisted on buying on ebay (after the seller wouldn't respond to my questions). The main problem is that it won't stay in tune for anything and I was wondering if you had any suggestions. I suggested:
1. Replace the nut,( which is currently slightly tweaked after he "fixed" it) with bone or even graphtec, and let me do it so it's not slightly turned. (I thought this would affect tuning a bit)
2. Replace bridge and tailpiece: the bigsby is missing an arm and the thing moves when you hit the strings, and the bridge itself is a bar of metal with lines cut in to hold the strings.
3. Replace tuners: The old ones seem to be crap anyway, I don't know how much this'd affect tuning anyway, but it's a start.

I was also wondering about the bridge/tailpiece that stewart macdonald sells, which would remove the necessity of replacing the tailpiece with a stopbar (i.e. drilling). Any experience with this? Cheers
Ty

[noeljob]

wassup yearboy, peace.
i would do all of the above. OR
put it on e bay sell it and take the money from that and get an sg special.

[Steelpriest]

I have to agree with Noel, ...when a guitar causes so much trouble and can be considered as an overall let down, simply re-sell it! Your pal/bandmate should think about purchasing an SG 310 or a Special II if his budget is limited, or try another afforble one from ebay, but I suggest to stay away from affordable guitars that have vibratos especially when it comes to copies of Bigsby vibratos, a cheap vibrato can cause amazing tuning problems, I recently sold a V copy that had a Floyd Rose copy on it...

[exyearrboy]

Yeah, I think the major problem with the guitar was the idiot who bought it. Unfortunatly I think he thought he'd get a screaming deal on a decent "vintage" guitar without doing any research whatsoever. Oh well, his loss I suppose. As of yet he has done nothing but after the last show knows just how much a p.o.s. it is.
Ty